Ken Burns' 'Tenth Inning' is grand slam entertainment

The longest project completed thus far by documentarian Ken Burns was his 1994 hit “Baseball,” its nine parts designed to represent the game’s nine innings.

Working with co-director Lynn Novick, Burns now delivers an extension of that 1994 documentary. Refusing to overlook tragedy while focusing on baseball from 1994 through 2007, “The Tenth Inning” stands comfortably alone by examining the sport’s ability to survive, although on occasion in heartbreaking fashion.

Indeed, told in four hours and two parts Tuesday and Wednesday on KTXT-TV (channel 5), “The Tenth Inning” is an out-of-the-park grand slam for all fans of the game, young and old.

Still more may be lured by the filmmakers’ approach to baseball history.

For every reference to the exciting, honest achievements of players ranging from Cal Ripken Jr. and Ken Griffey Jr. to Tony Gwynn and Ichiro Suzuki, “The Tenth Inning” lets viewers know that cheating had its place in every era of this grand American pastime, even before the gradual recognition of the steroid scandal.

Check back at lubbockonline.com or see Tuesday's Avalanche-Journal for the full review.